150 Ga. App. 481 | Ga. Ct. App. | 1979
The defendant appeals his conviction for theft by taking. Held:
1. During the presentation of the state’s case the prosecuting attorney questioned the arresting officer as follows:
"Q. Did you explain to him his constitutional rights? A. Yes, sir, we did. Q. And after that did you arrest him? A. Yes, sir. Q. Did he make any statement during this time why the chickens were in the car? A. No. Q. Did he make any statement in your presence at any time during the time he was in your custody? A. No. Q. He neither denied having the chickens or not? A. No, sir.” The attorney for defendant objected and moved for a mistrial; the trial judge overruled the objection.
Subsequently in arguing before the jury the prosecuting attorney stated "Now ladies and gentlemen,
In Hall v. State, 138 Ga. App. 20 (3) (225 SE2d 705) this court held: "Evidence as to silence on the part of the defendant at the time of his arrest should be excluded when objected to. He is entitled to remain silent, and the prosecution may not use against him the fact that he stood mute.” In this case the prosecuting attorney elicited the fact that the defendant chose to remain silent and then argued this fact as a basis for his guilt. This was harmful error, requiring a new trial.
2. The remaining enumerations of error are without merit.
Judgment reversed.